- Formal consultation on the pre-submission local plan opens today and runs until 5 October 2026.
- The plan sets out how land across Tamworth will be used and developed up to 2043, shaping housing, jobs, the town centre and more.
- Residents, businesses and stakeholders are invited to help shape the future of the borough before the plan is submitted for independent examination.
Tamworth Borough Council has launched a formal six-week consultation on its draft pre-submission local plan, giving residents, businesses and other stakeholders the chance to have their say on the document that will guide how Tamworth grows and changes over the next two decades, before it is submitted to the Planning Inspectorate for independent examination.
The consultation opens on Monday 24 August, and closes on Monday 5 October 2026.
This latest stage builds on several months of engagement with residents, businesses and community groups, who have helped shape the plan at every stage of its development, from early conversations about priorities for the borough through to detailed feedback on specific policies and proposals. The council would like to thank everyone who has taken the time to contribute their views so far.
The local plan sets out the vision, policies and framework for how land across the borough will be used and developed between now and 2043. It guides decisions on planning applications and determines what gets built, where, and what areas are protected, making this consultation a genuine opportunity for people to influence the future shape of their town.
The draft plan covers a wide range of topics, including:
- Housing – the number, type and location of new homes needed across the borough
- Economy and employment – supporting business growth and creating job opportunities
- Town centre and retail – the future of Tamworth town centre and the wider borough retail offer
- Healthy communities – access to facilities and services that support health and wellbeing
- Heritage – protecting and celebrating the borough's historic buildings and character
- Design, placemaking and the built environment – ensuring new development is well designed and reflects local character
- Flooding – managing flood risk and ensuring development is safe from flooding
- Protecting the natural environment – safeguarding biodiversity and wildlife
- Environmental protection and amenity – managing pollution and protecting residents' quality of life
- Sustainable transport – encouraging walking, cycling and public transport use
- Infrastructure – delivering the roads, utilities and community facilities needed to support new development
The plan is underpinned by a set of principles that will guide decision-making across the borough to 2043. These include making the best use of Tamworth's limited supply of land; delivering high quality, affordable homes to meet the community's diverse needs; supporting and diversifying the local economy; and regenerating the town centre into a thriving destination with a vibrant evening economy.
Councillor Ben Clarke, portfolio holder for housing, homelessness and planning at Tamworth Borough Council, said: “The local plan will shape the future of our borough for the next 20 years, so it's important that as many people as possible take the time to look at it and tell us what they think.
“This document touches on almost every part of daily life in Tamworth, from the homes we live in and the jobs available to us, to how we protect our heritage for future generations. Getting it right matters, and that means hearing from residents, businesses and community groups, not just planners.
“In the context of local government reorganisation, Tamworth Borough Council won’t be here for the life of this plan, with the council being replaced by a larger council covering South and Mid Staffordshire in 2028. But the plan itself will continue, so the input now will continue to how Tamworth develops after reorganisation.
“I'd encourage everyone with an interest in Tamworth's future to take a look at the draft plan and have their say before the consultation closes on 5 October.”
Residents and stakeholders can view the draft local plan and supporting documents, and submit their comments, via the council’s website: www.tamworth.gov.uk/consultation. Paper copies are also available to view at Marmion House, Lichfield Street and at local libraries.
The final version of the local plan will go to full council for decision December 2026.
Notes
The local plan sets out the vision, policies and framework for how land in the borough will be used and developed. Created by the council in consultation with the community, it guides decisions on planning applications and determines what gets built, where, and what areas are protected.
It is a statutory document that forms part of the council's strategy to deliver sustainable development, tackle climate change, and deliver new homes, jobs and infrastructure for current and future generations. This plan covers the period from 2022 to 2043 and will guide new development so that it takes place in a co-ordinated manner, making the best and most appropriate use of land to meet the needs of the community.
It helps meet housing needs, making sure communities have somewhere to live, and that the right type of homes are built in the right places. It is also key to ensuring land is allocated for different types of businesses, supporting their ambitions and enabling job creation.
The local plan also plays a crucial role in ensuring communities have the right facilities in the right places, such as shops, public services and leisure uses, while protecting and enhancing what makes Tamworth special, including its heritage, neighbourhood character, sense of community and natural environment.
Preparation of the plan has involved several stages of engagement and statutory consultation with residents, the development industry, infrastructure providers and other stakeholders, as well as collaboration with neighbouring councils on strategic and cross-boundary issues.
The local plan's 12 strategic objectives are to:
- 1 – make the most efficient and sustainable use of the borough's limited supply of land
- 2 – provide a supply of high quality and affordable homes to meet the diverse needs of the community
- 3 – support the existing local economy whilst being flexible enough to respond positively to new economic opportunities
- 4 – regenerate and diversify the town centre to create a thriving destination and vibrant evening economy
- 5 – protect and enhance the borough's heritage, including through facilitating appropriate and sustainable reuse of heritage assets
- 6 – tackle the causes and adapt to the effects of climate change
- 7 – protect and enhance ecological and biodiversity assets
- 8 – deliver sustainable neighbourhoods through the provision, protection and enhancement of local services and facilities
- 9 – foster a more inclusive and connected community where individuals from all backgrounds feel valued, heard and supported
- 10 – encourage active and healthier lifestyles, including by providing accessible and better connected green and blue linkages and open spaces, as well as formal indoor and outdoor recreation facilities
- 11 – promote sustainable transport modes for all journeys through improving walking, cycling, public transport and electric vehicle facilities
- 12 – ensure that appropriate infrastructure is in place to support development across the borough, including digital infrastructure